Big Surf & Rip Currents

05/22/2011

Never underestimate the power of the ocean. Big waves are dangerous, but rip currents (rip tides), a strong current of out-going water from the beach, kept me busy during my lifeguarding days. Here are a couple of aerial photographs showing some big rips that I shot yesterday in Venice beach. The difference in water color makes the rip easy to see from the air. Unfortunately, rips are not as obvious from the ground.